Manager, Payroll (Perm/1 year Contract)

Role Summary

Lead the end-to-end payroll function and ensure the accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of payroll services across local and regional operations. In this role, you will oversee payroll operations, statutory compliance, governance, and team performance while driving process improvements, automation, and transformation initiatives. You will partner closely with business leaders, HR, Finance, and IT stakeholders to deliver payroll excellence and enhance employee experience.

Responsibilities

Payroll Operations & Service Delivery

• Lead and manage end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing across all employee populations.
• Oversee payroll costing, statutory submissions, tax obligations, CPF contributions, and government-paid leave claims.
• Manage payroll clearance, final payments, recoveries, and employee lifecycle payroll activities, including resignations, terminations, and dismissals.
• Ensure payroll data integrity, confidentiality, and adherence to established service standards.

Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, CPF regulations, tax requirements, statutory obligations, and company policies.
• Establish and maintain robust payroll controls, governance frameworks, and audit readiness.
• Act as the key liaison with auditors, government agencies, tax authorities, and other regulatory bodies on payroll-related matters.

Stakeholder Management & Business Partnership

• Partner with Business Units, HR, Finance, and IT teams to support policy implementations, service enhancements, system changes, and payroll-related initiatives.
• Provide payroll advisory and resolution support to stakeholders and employees, ensuring a high level of service excellence.
• Prepare management reports and provide payroll insights to support business decision- making.

Transformation & Continuous Improvement

• Drive process optimisation, automation, and payroll transformation initiatives to improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Lead or support strategic projects including SAP enhancements, robotic process automation (RPA), business continuity planning (BCP), and digitalisation initiatives.
• Identify process gaps, conduct root-cause analysis, and implement sustainable solutions to strengthen payroll operations.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop the payroll team to build capability, drive performance, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Allocate resources effectively and ensure service delivery standards are consistently achieved.

What You’ll Bring

• Degree in Human Resource, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 to 8 years of relevant payroll experience, including experience leading or supervising a payroll team.
• Proven track record in managing high-volume payroll operations within a shared services or complex organisational environment.
• Strong knowledge of payroll operations, payroll controls, employment legislation, CPF regulations, tax requirements, and statutory compliance matters.
• Experience in payroll transformation, process optimisation, automation, or system implementation projects.
• Proficiency in SAP Payroll, SAP HCM, or similar payroll systems will be an advantag